Life-preserver



(No Mel.)

B. TORRAS.

LIFE PRESERVER.

No. 247,969. Patented O0t 4,,,l 88,1k v fig].

WITNESSES: I INVENTOR:

ATTORNEYS.

I NITED STATES PATENT O FFICE,

ROSENDO TQRRAS, OF BRUNSVVIGK, GEORGIA.

LlFE-PRESERVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,969, dated October 4, 1881.

Application filed August 18, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, RosENDo TORRAS, of Brunswick, in the county of Glynn and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Life-Preservers, of which the followingis afull, clear, and exact specification.

My invention consists of two air-tight and waterproof cylinders, each provided on the inside with helical springs, and connected together by metallic gyves, having such arran gement and construction that the cylinders may be compressed andretainedin a smallcompass, and when distended form a ponton for buoying the shipwrecked person or persons.

My invention further consists in means whereby provisions and water may be stored in the preserver or life-raft, and of convenient and ready means for steering or propelling the raft, and also of the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved life preserver or life-raftin distended position. Fig.2is a crosssection of the same, taken on theline an ac ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 isaplan viewshowingthe preserver as it appears when compressed for stowing away. Fig. 4is a side view of the car, and Fig. 5 is an end view of the same, showing the hinged blades or wings.

Similar letters-of reference indicate corre sponding parts.

The cylinders A A, of heavy canvas, rendered water-proof by painting or otherwise, are secured at theeuds andin the centerin the rings 1) b of the gyves B B Bin any suitable manner, preferably by sewing to the rings strips of canvas by means of small wire passin g through suitable perforations made in the rings, and then stitching the said strips to the cylinders.

Instead of using water-proof canvas for the cylinders, rubber fabric or any similar material might be substituted.

Within the cylinders are placed the strong helical springs to a, which serve to distend the cylinders to their utmost when the raft or preserver is prepared for use, as shown in Fig. 1, but which may be compressed, when the raft is not in use, to the small compass shown in Fig. 3.

Within the cylinders are placed the receptacles DD, of rubber, leather, metal, or any suitable material. The one D, whichis for water, has a small opening provided with the tube d, leading to near the bottom of the receptacle, through which the water may be sucked, while the receptacle D, which is for food, is provided with a large opening to admit the hand ofa person, for taking out the food as required. Both of the outflow ofair when the sameare compressed.

These openings are also closed by screw-caps, as shown. I

In some instances the gyves will be concave in the center, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, while in others they will be straight, as shown in Fig. 2, and in someinstances the space between the cylinders and over the gyves will be covered with strong netting to comfortably support the occupant, and in some instances this will be left off, the gyves being then only laced, mainly for the purpose of strengthening the raft with the ropes, strips of canvas, or similar material, F F, as shown in Fig. 1.

The gyve B is formed with the-keepers i 13 upon its sides, for holding the oarGr when used to guide or scull the raft, and with the holes h h for the hooks g g of the oar, for holding the cylinders compressed, as shown in Fig. 3, and also for the reception of the hook g when the oar is used for propulsion. When the raft is distended and the car is not in use it may' thus furnishing broad resistance in one direction and small resistance in the other.

In case the gyves are straight, as shown in Fig. 2, the raft may be used either side up, in which case the openings to the provision and water receptacles should be duplicated upon the other side of the cylinders, so that the contents thereof may be taken from either side of the raft.

The receptacles are of such size relative to the size of the springs in the cylinders that when the springs are compressed they will not interfere with or injure the said receptacles.

Having thus fully described my invention,I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- 1. In a life-preserver, the combination, with the cylindersA A, provided with the helical springs to a and the receptacles D D, of the gyves B B B, rings 1) b b, and tie-ropes F substantially as shown and described.

2. The extensible cylinders A A, provided with air-plugs e c and receptacles D D, in combination with the gyves B B B, rings 1) bb, tie-ropes F, and car G, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The cylinders A A, provided with the springs a a, in combination with the gyves B B B, and the ear or similar device G,provided with hooks for holding the cylinders after they have been compressed, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The gyve B, the rings I) b of which are provided with suitable openings for the passage of the necks of the receptacles D D, in combination with said receptacles, and with the screw-caps (I 11, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. The oar Gr, provided with the wings ff and the hooks g, g, g, and j, in combination with the gyves B B B, thelatterbeing formed *with the keepers h h and with the holes 6 and i, 

